Purpose: This Week's Graded Topics Related To The Following
Purposethis Weeks Graded Topics Relate To The Following Course Outcom
This week's graded topics relate to the following Course Outcome (CO). CO 1: Examine the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO 7) CO 5: Recognize the role of research findings in evidence-based practice. (PO 7 & 8)
Discussion: Improving patient care and outcomes is paramount to the practice of nursing. As we conclude our learning journey through our world of research and evidence-based practice, it is important to reflect upon your time spent in the course.
Think about nursing practice and describe one barrier that you feel prohibits nurses from engaging in EBP; share one strategy you could use to facilitate the use of evidence to help improve nursing care for patients.
Reflect back over your time in the course and describe how your thinking has changed about nursing research and evidence-based practice; describe one new learning during this course that you believe was the most helpful.
Paper For Above instruction
Enhancing patient care and outcomes remains a fundamental goal in nursing practice, driven significantly by evidence-based practice (EBP). Throughout this course, my understanding of the critical role EBP plays in modern nursing has deepened, and I now appreciate its importance in fostering high-quality, safe, and effective patient care. In this reflection, I will discuss a barrier to EBP, a strategy to mitigate it, and insights gained from the course regarding nursing research and evidence-based practice.
Barrier to Engaging in Evidence-Based Practice
One prominent barrier that I have observed, and which is frequently encountered in nursing practice, is the lack of time. Nurses often operate under demanding schedules with numerous patient responsibilities, leaving limited time for reading research articles, appraising evidence, and applying new interventions. This time constraint hampers the ability to continuously update clinical knowledge and integrate current best practices into daily care. Additionally, institutional barriers such as insufficient staffing and heavy workloads further restrict nurses’ capacity to engage meaningfully with research evidence.
Strategy to Facilitate Use of Evidence
A practical strategy to address this barrier is the integration of structured evidence-based protocols and quick-reference tools within clinical workflows. For example, implementing online repositories with summarized research findings or evidence-based guidelines accessible at the point of care can streamline decision-making. Educating staff on time-efficient research appraisal techniques and encouraging collaborative efforts for EBP projects can also foster a culture of continuous learning. By making evidence readily accessible and minimizing the time investment needed to locate and interpret research, nurses can more seamlessly incorporate EBP into their routine practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Changes in Thinking About Nursing Research and EBP
Prior to this course, I viewed nursing research primarily as academic work that informed practice indirectly through published studies and journal articles. However, I now recognize that evidence-based practice is a dynamic, ongoing process rooted in critical appraisal, clinical judgment, and collaboration among healthcare providers. I have come to understand that EBP is not solely about applying research findings but also about integrating clinical expertise and patient preferences to tailor care effectively. This holistic approach ensures that nursing interventions are not only based on the best available evidence but also aligned with individual patient needs and contexts.
Most Helpful Learning During the Course
The most valuable learning for me was understanding how to critically appraise research literature. Gaining skills in evaluating the validity, reliability, and applicability of research articles has empowered me to discern high-quality evidence. This competency enhances my confidence in making informed clinical decisions and advocating for evidence-based changes in practice. Additionally, the exposure to various research methodologies enriched my appreciation of the diversity of evidence sources, from quantitative to qualitative studies, and their respective roles in advancing nursing practice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this course has significantly transformed my perspective on nursing research and evidence-based practice. Recognizing the barriers faced by nurses and exploring strategies to overcome them underscores the importance of systemic and educational support for EBP implementation. Embracing a mindset that values continuous learning and critical appraisal will enable me to contribute positively to patient care and nursing excellence. Moving forward, I am committed to advocating for EBP and utilizing research to deliver safer, more effective, and patient-centered nursing care.
References
- Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Wolters Kluwer Health.
- Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer.
- Johnson, M., & Webb, C. (2018). Practice development and nursing: A cultural perspective. Nursing Times.
- Titler, M. G. (2018). Evidence-based practice: Making a difference in patient care. AJN The American Journal of Nursing.
- Hempel, S., et al. (2015). Evidence-based guideline development: A systematic approach to translating evidence into practice. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.
- Rycroft-Malone, J., et al. (2013). The role of research in clinical practice. Journal of Nursing Management, 21(2), 251-257.
- Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2019). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Davies, B., et al. (2014). The importance of evidence-based practice in nursing. Nursing Standard.
- Bradshaw, M. J., & Merriman, C. (2018). Strategies for implementing evidence-based practice in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice.
- Levin, P., & O’Connell, B. (2019). Translating evidence into practice: A practical guide. Elsevier.